On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s efforts in capturing a key suspect involved in the 2021 Kabul airport bombing, which resulted in the deaths of 13 American soldiers and numerous Afghan civilians.
Speaking at a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, Trump specifically acknowledged Pakistan’s role in the arrest, stating, “I want to thank, especially, the Pakistani government for helping arrest this monster.” He also announced that the suspect, identified as Mohammad Sharifullah, was in custody and en route to the U.S. for prosecution.
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Trump reminded the audience of the devastating attack at Kabul’s Hamid Karzai International Airport during the American military withdrawal, emphasizing that Sharifullah was the main orchestrator behind the bombing. His statement was met with applause as he described the arrest as a significant moment for the families of the victims.
U.S. Confirms Pakistan’s Assistance
According to senior U.S. officials, Pakistani authorities acted on intelligence shared by the CIA to capture Sharifullah, a senior leader of ISIS-K, an extremist group active in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Officials revealed that he had been a high-priority target for U.S. intelligence for years.
Sharifullah, also known as “Jafar,” is believed to have personally coordinated the attack on August 26, 2021. The explosion at Kabul’s airport, occurring amid the chaotic U.S. and allied troop withdrawal, claimed the lives of 170 Afghan civilians in addition to the American troops. His arrival in the U.S. is expected to be followed by the unsealing of an indictment against him.
Trump’s Call for Political Unity
During his speech, Trump also addressed political divisions within the country. He criticized Democratic lawmakers for their lack of enthusiasm, stating, “This is my fifth address to Congress, and once again, I see the Democrats before me, unwilling to stand, smile, or applaud.”
Despite the political tension, he called for bipartisanship, urging all lawmakers to unite in recognizing national achievements. However, his speech was met with heckling from some Democratic members, and Representative Al Green was eventually removed from the chamber by House Speaker Mike Johnson.
This marked Trump’s first address to Congress since beginning his second term, an occasion he used to emphasize his administration’s accomplishments.
